Prior to this case, I had no

respect for most attorneys; now I have no respect for the spineless wonders

who pass themselves off as being Fayette County judges, either.

Did this family receive a fair

trial? No! All they received was an expensive day in court with money

they had to borrow. Had the presiding judge been evaluated like teachers

administering SAT exams are, he would not have rated below average; in

my opinion, he would have been fired! Had he been held accountable for

his actions, as police officers often are, he would have had his badge

and pistol taken from him, been suspended without pay, or fired.

As for the pastor's attorneys,

he could not get representation desired, but had to settle for a firm

who finally agreed to take the case. An old adage I once believed said,

"You get what you pay for." I do not believe the pastor did!

In a Declaration signed July

4, 1776, Congress agreed "that all men are created equal, that they

are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among

these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

It goes on to say, "That

whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it

is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new

government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its

powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their

safety and happiness."

How safe can the Graham family

feel, with their septic system having failed, creating a health hazard,

but much worse, receiving threats of legal action by the county? And how

happy can they be, not being able to use water in their home? Their children

have to go to an adjacent building to use the bathroom or take their showers,

unlike our officials' children.

In my humble opinion, three

of Fayette County's commissioners have succeeded in discriminating against

the Graham family. One of them, in particular, has lied to the news media

and a U.S. Congressman about me and my involvement, and let the public

to believe the pastor is operating illegally.

For the record, I own no land

in North Fayette County, and have no plans to obtain zoning for high density

housing. If I were a developer, Fayette County is the last place I would

come, unless massive changes in leadership take place. If anyone has operated

illegally, it is some of our elected officials, their staff, and various

county agency's employees and attorneys who have abused their power.

They use our tax dollars, and

in the pastor's case, provide no services. The pastor depends upon Clayton

County for his water, sanitation pickup, and fire protection. But when

he requested the simple right to connect to Clayton County's sewer, since

his septic system failed, they denied him that simple right.

Instead of protecting him and

his family, our law enforcement officials, and others, have been ordered

to harass, intrude with malicious interference, threatening overt action,

coupled with ogreishness.

An assistant county attorney

was quoted as saying, "The pastor asked the county to allow in another

county's sewer system." So what? Recent articles indicate our pompous

leaders already depend upon a Clayton County treatment plant to handle

Fayette County's effluent.

Unfortunately, too many Fayette

Countians believe their [sewage] does not stink, and as long as they can

depend upon dumping it in neighboring Clayton County, they will continue

their hypocrisy. These leaders have already set a precedent by allowing

Pathway Communities and the Catholic high school to bring sewer into unincorporated

Fayette County from a nearby municipality and Fulton County, respectively.

Why not give this family the same privilege? Why are county commissioners

allowed to discriminate?

Just wait until Clayton County

refuses to be as accommodating regarding Fayette sewage. At that time,

these same leaders will start trying to jump through hoops to get another

SPLOST approved, bond issue passed, or raise our taxes again, because

they do not plan ahead or provide services they should already be providing.

Since people like the Crafts

do not want anyone else moving to Fayette County and building on less

than five acres, maybe our officials will see fit to put Fayette's new

sewage treatment plant on the Crafts' property.

If our county Environmental

Health gestapo agent had been as concerned about the entire county's sewage

problems and needs, as he has been in making the Grahams' lives a living

hell, and costing them a fortune, running unnecessary tests, and pumping

their tank every week, this county would not be facing the possibility

of "mass septic system failures."

If our leaders were leaders,

they would be more concerned with putting in the infrastructure necessary

to meet the challenges of certain growth, attracting industry which would

boost our tax base, to pay for jails, schools, computer-equipped police

cars, etc., rather than raping homeowners with higher and higher property

taxes.

Pastor Graham has done nothing

illegal! He gives the homeless and needy hope. He assists them by finding

jobs, housing, clothing, furniture and food. Projections show Fayette

County may have over 400 homeless citizens this year. They may have lost

their job, been stricken with terminal illness or high medical bills,

or been dropped off on Pastor Graham by Fayette County deputies who could

do nothing for them.

For every individual Chariots

of Fire Ministries assists and gets off the streets and back to work,

it saves Fayette County thousands of dollars. For those children and teenagers

he ministers to, giving them a new lease on life, changing tears to laughter,

and replacing despair and depression with initiative and desire, I say,

God bless you, Pastor Graham; please keep up the good work!

For those of you who are unconcerned

citizens that believe this septic problem doesn't affect you, please think

again. All citizens of unincorporated Fayette County are the ones who

lost in court Monday. The pastor put up a courageous fight on your behalf,

just as he has done while in the military fighting in four different conflicts

for his country, so that you and I can enjoy the freedoms that many so

often take for granted.

In closing, the pastor's attorneys

said Fayette County's denial of his request to tie onto sewer services

in Clayton County was "arbitrary and capricious," whatever that

means. As an ignorant layman, I say the commissioners' denial was mean,

insensitive, discriminatory, unfair and just not right! While I do not

understand "legalese," I do know how to fight for my convictions.

The pastor and I may have lost the battle, but our crusade has just begun.

I also have common sense, and can distinguish between what is right and

what is wrong!

For those of you who may be

concerned citizens, we will continue praying for your help and support.

John D. Ford

Board member

Chariots of Fire Ministry